Lee J Whitwell

Lee Whitwell is a professional pickleball athlete, speaker, entrepreneur, and author whose work sits at the intersection of sport, resilience, and human connection. Originally from Gibraltar and now based in the United States, Lee is the current World #1 Senior Pro female pickleball player and a respected voice in the global growth of the sport.

Beyond competition, Lee is the co-founder of Game ChangeHER Events, a movement and events platform focused on empowering women through pickleball, community, and belonging. Her work has helped redefine the court as more than a place to play. It is a place where confidence is rebuilt, friendships are formed, and lives are changed.

Lee’s journey is also one of extraordinary perseverance. She lives with bilateral Trigeminal Neuralgia, one of the most painful neurological conditions known to medicine, and has undergone six brain surgeries in her fight against chronic pain. Through humor, honesty, and grit, she has become an inspiring advocate for resilience and perspective, using sport as both an outlet and a vehicle for connection.

Known for her irreverent wit, relatable storytelling, and ability to blend high performance with humanity, Lee speaks and writes about overcoming adversity, building community, and the power of “third spaces” to reconnect people in an increasingly disconnected world.

Her book invites readers to rethink what sport, belonging, and resilience can look like — both on and off the court.